I have a little over a years riding experience and want to do my first track day. I have a 2007 Suzuki GSXR 750. Is this too much power for a novice on track day?
Just ride at your pace/skill level and don't feel the need to pin the throttle coming out of turns and you'll be fine. If you wreck because of being throttle happy you can blame your right wrist, not the bike.
in general an 07 750 is a great track bike. Stock it was a nice machine. For novice pace you will need to do very little. I always like to make sure I have good SS brake lines, and good (think upgraded) brake pads. Then decent tires, Q3's or similar is great for novice. Basically that is it. And of course you can run it completely stock, it is a great bike. I have an 06 SV1000 and I am ready for something new. I have been looking to find an 07 - 09 GSXR 750 as my next bike. You will have a great time on that bike.
Bama said it perfectly regarding the over-use of power. Novice is about working on your lines, track etiquette, and setting a base-line pace off which you can improve your skills (skill =/= power). The coaches will determine the use of your power as you follow them and they observe you. In the afternoon you'll have the chance to be more on your own but keep in mind the idea is to set a pace; you can hit 160 mph three times in one lap at Road America but still be slower than an SV650 because he has consistent braking points and a better corner speed. I started on an '06 750 and, even though it was absolutely fine for me as a beginner, later "upgraded" to a 600 to further improve my skills. But just because a bike can make 130 hp doesn't mean you use it all the time. Just keep a level-head out there and you'll have a great time.
Excellent advice...Just get with your coach and they will help you out. Novice is kind of an introduction into track days for most people. No matter what you are riding the most important thing is to get to the track and have fun and improve your skills.
The front tire on my Gixxer 750 is pretty new, my rear tire is being replaced in less than a week from now, the entire front brake was recalled and replaced last year by the previous owner, and the rear brakes are in pretty good shape/fairly new too. Is there any maintenance or work that I should do to the bike before heading out to track day? I am assuming I have in inspect the bike, tighten all bolts, lube the chain, and make sure all fluids are at the proper levels. Anything else?
Read through the info here: https://www.sportbiketracktime.com/index.php?route=information/information&information_id=11 And welcome!
Important: When you adjust the chain, make sure to leave enough slack in it to let the suspension move. Most manuals will describe how to measure slack at the bottom of the chain run. When we tech bikes we subscribe to the "two finger" rule, and see a lot of chains that are simply adjusted too tightly to let the rear suspension move and do its job. -Tom
I thought the chain was always supposed to be loose enough for the two finger slack rule? I am having the rear tire changed in a couple of days. Will they put the chain tighter than it needs to be for a track day?
Usually they will put it where it needs to be....It never hurts to learn how to do it yourself...Just ask any of the stt staff at your trackday and they can show you how to measure the slack.
Dont worry about the bike, just make sure you ride within your own limits. I did my first track day on a 2008 GSXR 750!
I started and still ride Novice on an '07 GSXR 750, just watch that throttle. The bike has as much power as your wrist commands.
I currently have an 07 750 as my backup bike. It's just such a good machine that I've always had one around. Every time I've sold the one I had, I felt regret and then another one followed me home. That 06-08 600/750 platform is perhaps the most track-friendly motorcycle ever made. You'll do fine on it. Have fun!